A bit of resignation, a bit of termination, a bit of we-remain-friends: 1. FC Köln and Steffen Baumgart are parting ways. After two successful years, the club’s austerity measures led to a relegation battle that wore the coach down.
Steffen Baumgart was not on board when 1. FC Köln traveled home to the Rhine the day after the 2-0 defeat at 1. FC Union. He stayed in Berlin-Köpenick, where the family still maintains their old home. The extended stay in the capital was already planned before the game, but there was a change for the second part of the plans: Baumgart can now save himself the trip to his adopted home of Cologne on Friday to discuss the sporting situation before the winter break – club and coaches no longer need to discuss what to do next in the relegation battle. For Steffen Baumgart, the relegation battle is over and he can start his traditional ski holiday in Austria straight away. His contract with 1. FC Köln, which runs until 2025, was terminated on Thursday by both parties at the end of the year.